Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that Mohamed Salah's youth was partly the reason behind struggles at Chelsea.

The Egypt international joined the Blues from Basel in the 2014 January transfer window but made just 19 appearances across all competitions before being loaned out to Serie A side Fiorentina a year later.

He subsequently joined Roma permanently in the summer of 2016 following a successful loan spell at the Stadio Olimpico, netting 34 goals and weighing in with 24 assists which then earned him a return to English football last summer with the Reds as they splashed out a club record fee to secure his signature.

Nine months, 47 appearances and 43 goals later and the perception of Salah has changed drastically, with many questioning Jose Mourinho's decision to sell him without handing the forward much chances.

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However, Klopp insists Mourinho isn't to blame and feels the west London outfit's squad at the time made it almost impossible for Salah to make a breakthrough.

"He was a kid when he came to Chelsea. And Chelsea had a squad that was unbelievable so it was really difficult," the German tactician told Channel 4 news. “Kevin de Bruyne didn’t play in that squad, that’s a lot.

"I think we all agree Jose Mourinho is a fantastic manager so sometimes things are like that. So it doesn’t work, step aside try again and you can still succeed and that’s exactly what happened with Mohamed.

“To be player of the year already is an outstanding achievement. But to be it in a season with all these other players around, when De Bruyne plays the season he had, David Silva, Leroy Sane.

“[Even] our boys Roberto Firmino [and] Sadio Mane, are playing these kinds of season and it’s still a big thing. It was not an easy choice for the people but obviously it was clear enough because he performed at a high level."